Stereotactic Biopsy

Precise placement of a needle within the brain used to be accomplished by placing a frame affixed to the skull, and a needle using three-dimensional coordinates was used to locate this area. Technological advancements have allowed frameless navigation, which we use to place a temporary skull device and subsequently pass a needle precisely (based upon a personís own CT or MRI scan) into the object for a biopsy. Brain tumors or abscesses can be accessed in this way. We have used this method for deeper access within the brain, generally with good results.